All of us are one

Clips to watch:

1. PM breaks down in parliament. 'What it means to be Australian'
2. Tony Abbott Wobble
3. Anna Bligh: We are Queenslanders
4. The Castle (start)
5. Bushfires in Victoria
6. Cronulla, 2006
7. Australia Day 2011, Flag. Negus
8. Australian Values, new citizens. Negus
9. Mini series (3 min) Landing at Gallipoli
10. Adam Hills, Australian Accents (Language, Drug Ref)
11. Listen carefully, write down all the 'stine and references to placenames'(L, Dr)

Homework:

• A new identity, download this document and answer the 9 questions: Article about new identity + questions.doc
• Template for watching 11 video clips: Values Template 11 VideoClips.doc
• Your Australian Identity CSI (Colour Symbol Image): CSI Template and assessment criteria.doc

General links and stuff of interest:

• Lyrics of the Australian History rap by Des Bishop: HISTORY DOWN UNDER_austr_hit_rap.doc
• Clive James (expat writer living in the UK) in a podcast + transcript about (Australian) national identity. clivejames.com/national-identity
• Does Australia have a national identity?

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Essay resources

Good sites to start your essay research:

• http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/history/
• http://www.aussieeducator.org.au/tertiary/subjects/history/australian/culture.html
• http://www.convictcreations.com/research/index.htm
• http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/australia/pdf/national_id.pdf
• http://www.aussieeducator.org.au/tertiary/subjects/history/australian/australianhistory.html
• http://www.aussieeducator.org.au/tertiary/subjects/history/australian/culture.html
• 
  

WRITING AN ESSAY FOR HUMANITIES

Writing an essay can be easier if you follow a plan. There are three parts to every essay. First the introduction, second the body and finally the conclusion. Each part is very important and is unique in its purpose. An essay should have at least (4) or (5) paragraphs. An essay should have at least (3) arguments or points. Each paragraph deals with a separate point of argument. Paragraphs are determined by the amount of points or arguments you have. For example if you have 6 arguments or points your essay will have 8 paragraphs. An introduction, 6 body paragraphs and a conclusion.

Introduction:
An intro is just as the name suggests; it introduces. The reader of your essay will get a very good idea of what your essay is about by just reading the intro. It has three basics elements
• State your contention
• Give some basic information and define key terms
• Outline your arguments or points
1. Your contention is what you will argue eg. Australia’s past events have contributed to Australia’s current national identity. Or: World War I was a decisive factor in shaping Australia’s national identity. Or: Modern Australian identity emerged in the 1950s. This point needs to be written in a captivating way to get your reader’s interest.
2. Include basic info to let your reader know what national identity and other central ideas are. Only one or two sentences is enough here.
3. Your essay should have at least 3 main arguments. This is where you need to introduce, in one sentence each of your main points, but try not to make it sound like you are rattling off a list.

Main Body:
This is where you argue and convince the reader you are right. You need at least 3 paragraphs, which can be as short or as long as you need. Each one is linked to the 3 main points that you have just outlined in your intro. They must follow in the same order they were introduced. You must always start with your most important or strongest points. You finish with your weakest point. Each part has its own formula as well.
• State your contention (topic sentence)
• Supporting information (use of examples is always helpful to support your point of view).

Conclusion:
Your conclusion is often the easiest part of an essay. All you have to do is re-write your introduction in different words. About 4 sentences.
There is one really, important thing that you need to do in the conclusion. NEVER and I mean NEVER introduce any NEW information in your conclusion. Return to your opening statement and use the example that best reinforces your point of view.

DON’TS:
Use a personal pronoun such as “I”
• I think
• I will
• My opinion
• Don’t use speaking language. Use more formal language. Some examples of speaking language:
o “Gallipoli was a huge muck-up by the English, and they should have apologized to the brave Aussies.”
o “The 1950s were so much fun, rock ‘n roll was invented, and people drove cool cars.”
o “The first thing they did in parliament was pass the White Australia policy, which we now all know is such a racist law.”
These sentences aren’t wrong but should be slightly re-phrased to sound more formal. Keep your sentences short, clear and business-like. No emotive, judgment laden words such as “really, hugely, incredibly, amazing, completely understandable etc”

DO’S
• In place of I think and so on, use
o Many people believe ……
o It is thought …….
o It could be considered ………
• Keep your sentences short, clear and business-like.
• Stick to your essay plan, structure is important.

Make your essay plan: essay persuasion map.pdf

A good site on structuring an essay:
http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/act/chapter7section3.rhtml